Legendary Coach Pat Head Summit died today at the age of 64. She was the face of Women's Basketball. Coach Summit changed the game. According to many of those who played for her, she changed lives. When she walked into the room or on the court the whole atmosphere changed.
There was a time in my life where I thought I would coach basketball. During my college days I made preparations to go in that direction. I also wanted to coach women's basketball. I watched much high school basketball. I remember the half court game. In the 60's and early 70's (and even before) the girls game was played with three guards on one end and three forwards on the other end. None were allowed to cross half court. It was a different day and a different game. It was the way it was and in my opinion exciting. I remember when the "rover" was added. The rover was a player that could play both ends resulting in a 4 on 4 game. RADICAL!
Coach Summit was a player in the evolvement of the women's game. Today's game has her fingerprints all over it. 5 on 5...the college game...Title IX...and I could go on. LEGEND, ICON, Role Model, and Hall of Famer are all words that describe her legacy. Every player she coached that completed their eligibility graduated. WOW. How many coaches can claim that.
When our girls were young we lived in South Georgia. For a number of years the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament was held in Albany, GA. We are DAWG fans. In those days it seemed as if UGA and UT were battling for the title and Pat Summit and UT came out on top most of the time. Our girls looked forward to those days every year. "Dad, have you got tickets?" "Dad, are we going?" We did and I'm glad.
Every person has the opportunity to be a game changer in life. You may not have the platform that Pat Summit did, but you have influence as a parent, teacher, coach, or friend.
The greatest game changer of all is Jesus Christ. When He came He changed everything. When He comes into a life, He changes EVERYTHING. A game changer that is in a relationship with Jesus Christ has the opportunity daily to influence lives for eternity's sake.
